Leg bone breaker and tendon puller



-J. E. JAEGER LEG BONE BREAKER AND TENDON FULLER Filed Oct, 23 1934 [N VENTOR A TTORNE Y Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

In turkeys, and to some extent in other fowl, the upper part of the leg, or thigh, contains long flat bones in addition to the large central bone. These so-called splinter-bones extend through the flesh of the thigh, the lower ends of the said bones being attached to the lower leg or ankle by means of tendons or cords. Even after the fowl is cooked these fiat bones are almost impossible to cut, and cause considerable difficulty in removing the meat from the thigh.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a means whereby the lower leg may be broken at a point near the ankle, and also to provide a means whereby the foot and the lower broken part of the lower leg, with the cords still attached thereto, may be drawn out of the thigh, bringing with them the flat bones; at the same time holding the thigh and preventing it from deformation or other injury.

I accomplish these objects by means of the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device. Figure 2 is a plan view of the device. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device with the lower leg in position, ready to be broken. Figure 4 is a perspective View showing the lower leg after being broken and with the tendons pulled partly out. Figure 5 is a perspective View showing the device in its final position, with the tendons pulled entirely out of the leg. Figure 6 is a sectional View through the lever and frame taken on the line 66 of Figure 1. Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several views.

The construction of my device is as follows: I is a stationary frame provided with means for securing the device to the wall, such as the slots II which are suitable tobe held in place by lag screws or other similar means. The device is preferably mounted on the wall in a vertical position. Integral with the frame I0 and extending outwardly and perpendicularly therefrom is a rib I2. At the upper end of the rib I2 is a jaw I4, of the so-called alligator type. The upper and lower jaws I4 and Ma are provided with teeth I3 and I3a which are adapted to hold the lower leg I of a fowl, at a point adjacent to the lower end of the thigh I6; the opening between the said jaws I I and I la being such as to admit the lower leg I5, but preventing the passage of the thigh I6. The jaws I4 and Ma may be reinforced or ribbed as shown at H if desired. Secured to the rib I2 at its lower end is a bolt or pin I8. Revolvably mounted on the bolt I8 is a lever arm I9, the bolt-opening 20 therein being curved so as to permit a certain degree of lateral swing. Both the inner and outer faces of the said lever andboss 2| are also curved to permit such lateral swing. The amount of this lateral swing of the lever I9 is limited by the bracket 22, which is integral with or attached to the frame l0. Integral with the lever I9 on its front side is a lug 23 similar in shape and location to the jaws I4 and I la but without teeth, and which can be brought into registry with the jaws I4 and Ma by the movement of the lever I9.

The operation of my device is as follows: The device having been secured to a firm support, preferably in a vertical position on a wall, the lever I9 is rotated to a position adjacent to the rib I2 and the jaws I4 and Him. The lower leg I5 of the fowl is placed in the fixed jaws I4 and Ma and the lever jaw 23, with the foot 24 projecting beyond the jaw 23 and with the knee joint and thigh I6 on the side of the jaws I4 and Mm farthest from the lever, the said lever being swung laterally against the bracket 22, to give more leverage for the next movement of the lever. The lever I9 is then given a quick, downward jerk breaking the bone as shown in Figure 4. By continuing the forward and downward rotation of the lever I9 the tendons are pulled entirely out of the leg, bringing with them the flat bones 25 as shown in Figure 5. In practice the body of the fowl is held in position by one hand while the lever I9 is operated by the other hand.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:--

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a stationary frame having jaws adapted to hold the leg of a fowl, and a lever rotatably mounted on said frame, said lever having a similar jaw adapted to hold the lower portion of the leg and foot of the said fowl, said lever being so mounted as to permit a limited lateral movement in addition to the rotative movement J. EDWARD JAEGER. 

